Pamela Stretton’s work explores a dynamic play between two elements, involving not only the visual binary of scale, but also the merging of digital photographic print mediums with handcrafted re-working. These works transform an intricately designed photographic print into the new aspect of a carefully arranged mosaic-like collage. The creative processes involve hours of composition in the digital space, which then make way for the practical and detailed technique of the artist’s hand. The visually appealing surface texture gives dimension to a work that is layered with meaning, as well as creative method. The result is a print with a difference. Stretton hails from a print-making background, and currently lives and works in Capetown. She obtained a master’s degree, with distinction, in Fine Art from the University of Capetown in 2005. Her subject matter originated as a self-study focussing on feminine beauty ideals. Earlier works bring to light elements of scale, scrutiny, conformity and control. Her work has evolved gently in a few directions exploring amongst other things notions of consumerism, women’s roles in society, narcissism and plays on media and social media. By distorting her photographs into pixilated boxes, she is illustrating the way in which we distort our own reality by trying to conform to our cultural obsessions. This systematic method further serves to contextualize and establish her subject matter within a specific set of ideas. EDUCATIONRhodes University. Bachelor of Fine Art (with distinction)University of Cape Town. Master of Fine Art (with distinction) SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS2023 “Bubble” Toyota US Woordfees. Stellenbosch South Africa Trunk Show. SBFA. San Francisco2022 Trunk Show. SBFA. San Francisco2021 “XXL”. Open 24Hrs Art. CapeTown. South Africa Lanoue Gallery. Boston2020 “Phantasmagoria”. Lizamore and Associates. South Africa Trunk Show. SBFA. San Francisco “Silapha” MAD charity auction. Stellenbosch. South Africa2019 “Heroine” M Contemporary. Sydney Australia “Our Brave New World” Jan Celliers Salon Exhibition. Johannesburg. South Africa “Dwell in Possibility”. Centenary Gallery. Bloemfontein. South Africa2018 San Francisco Art Market, Simon Breitbard Fine Arts Affordable Art Fair. New York Make a Difference Charity Auction. South Africa2015 The London Art Fair, IslingtonThe Affordable Art Fair. Battersea. LondonThe Affordable Art Fair. Hampstead. LondonThe Affordable Art Fair. New York.The Affordable Art Fair. Hong KongProvenance Summer Salon. CapetownSilence. Artworks on paper. Chenshia. Capetown2014 The London Art Fair. Islington The Affordable Art Fair. Battersea. London The Affordable Art Fair. Hong Kong The Affordable Art Fair. Hampstead. London The Affordable Art Fair. New York The Affordable Art Fair. Singapore Art Silicon Valley. San Francisco2013 No Substitute for Real experiences. Suitcase Project. Absa Gallery and Interactive Africa Imago Mundi. Luciano Benetton Collection (Contemporary artists from South Africa). The London Art Fair. Islington The Affordable Art Fair. Battersea. London The Affordable Art Fair. Hong Kong The Affordable Art Fair. Hampstead. London The Affordable Art Fair. New York The Affordable Art Fair. Singapore 21st Art Salon. Rose Korber Art. Capetown 2012 The Cacophony Collection. Barnard Gallery. CapeTown The Affordable Art Fair (Mark Jason Gallery). Singapore Lights, Camera, Click…Photography in Contemporary Art. Lanoue Fine Art. Boston Marin Designers Showcase.. Stephanie Breitbard Fine Art. SanFrancisco MAD Charity Auction. New York The Sanfrancisco Fine Art fair The Affordable Art fair NewYork The Affordable Art fair. Battersea. London 20/21 International. RCA. London The London Art Fair. Islington. London 2011 20th Art Salon. Rose Korber Art. Capetown The Affordable Art Fair North London Art London. Chelsea. London M.A.D. Charity Auction. London The Affordable Art Fair. New York. USA Art Chicago. USA The Affordable Art Fair. Battersea. London Self Conscious Reflections. Barnard Gallery. Cape Town. South Africa The London Art Fair. Islington London 2010 19th Art Salon. Rose Korber Art. Camps Bay. Cape Town ‘Who’ Group Exhibition. Grande Provence Gallery. Franchoek. South Africa Royal Academy Rejects. Menier Gallery London Art London. Chelsea London The Affordable Art Fair New York. USA Art Chicago. USA The Affordable Art Fair. Battersea London The London Art Fair. Islington London 2009 18th Art Salon. Rose Korber Art. Camps Bay. Cape Town Art London. Chelsea London The Affordable Art Fair. New York The Affordable Art Fair. Battersea London The London Art Fair. Islington London 2008 17th Art Salon. Rose Korber Art. Camps Bay. Cape Town Bearing. Association for the Visual Arts. Cape Town Print 08 Myth, Memory and the Archive. Bell Roberts Gallery. Cape Town RE; CM (Regarding Capital Management) Salon Exhibition, Cape Town 2007 Spier Contemporary, Stellenbosch, Cape 16th Art Salon, Rose Korber Art, Camps Bay, Cape Town Surface Tension. The Photographers , Cape Town Interwoven/ Intertwined.FNB Private Clients Art Route, Cultivaria, Paarl (curated by the artist) Rust en Vrede Gallery, Durbanville South African Artists, Gallery in Cork Street, London 2006 15th Art Salon at The Bay, The Bay Hotel, Camps Bay , Cape Town Portrait Exhibition. Association for Visual Arts, Cape Town 2005 Michaelis School of Fine Art Graduate Exhibition, Cape Town Sanlam Vuleka 2003 Absa Atelier 2002 Rhodes University Graduate Exhibition, Grahamstown SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS2008 Joao Ferriera Gallery, Cape Town 2007 The Encoded Body series, Gallery on the Square, Sandton, Johannesburg (in collaboration with Rose Korber Art, Cape Town). 2006 Winchester Hotel, Cape Town The Encoded Body, Association for Visual Arts, Cape Town NOTABLE COLLECTIONS (PUBLIC/CORPORATE)Kleiner Perkins. Menlo Park. CaliforniaPatient Square Capital. Menlo Park CaliforniaArt Gazette. The Harrington. CapetownKatrine Harries Print Cabinet. Michaelis school of Fine Art. University of Cape TownIrma Stern Collection. University of Cape townHollard Insurance. Johannesburg University of South Africa. PretoriaCorronation Fund Managers, Stellenbosch, CapeSpier Wine Estate. CapeWaterkloof Winery. Stellenbosch. Cape COLLECTIONS (PRIVATE)In South Africa, Australia, Britain, France, Germany, U.S.A., Holland, Japan AWARDS/ ACHIEVEMENTS2017 The Global Art Awards Nomination2011 Publication: International Contemporary Masters Vol 5. World Wide Art Books2010 Raid Projects Residency. Los Angeles (did not accept)2007 Spier Contemporary, Finalist2005 Brett Kebble Art Awards, Finalist2005 Sanlam Vuleka, Winner 2003, 2006 and 2007 Absa Atelier, Finalist